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#oharming Léandre: a 
(lomedy in One Act: 
™y Théodore de Ban- 
ville: Translated by Bar- 
pett H. Clark 


samuel French: Publisher 
: 8-30 West Thirty-eighth Street : New York 


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Charming Léandre: a 
Comedy in One Act: 
by Théodore de Ban- 
ville: ‘Translated by Bar- 
rett H. Clark 


Samuel French: Publisher 
28-30 West Thirty-eighth Street : New York 





CHARMING LEANDRE 


- PERSONS REPRESENTED 


ORGON, an old and crabbed tradesman. 


CoLoMBINE, his daughter, a pretty and coquettish 
young woman. 
LEANDRE, COLOMBINE’s lover. 


The Scene: Paris, about 1720. 


306836 


THEODORE DE BANVILLE 


Théodore de Banville (1823-1891) was a poet en- 
dowed with delicacy of feeling and charm. His 
numerous little plays, nearly all in verse, are de- 
lightful vignettes of old French life. Nearly always 
he went to French history, tradition, or literature 
for his plots. GriNcGorrE, for instance, one of his 
best known, is a poetic play built round the half- 
legendary story of the old poet Gringoire; the pres- 
ent sketch, on the other hand, is a purely imaginary 
trifle, laid in early Eighteenth Century Paris. 

As the translation of poetry is practically im- 
possible, it has been deemed wise to cast LE Beau 
LEANDRE in more or less colloquial prose. 

The setting is fully described in the stage-direc- 
tions. The costumes are of the period. 


>’ 


CHARMING LEANDRE 





A deserted square in the neighborhood of the Lux- 
embourg Gardens. At the back, through the iron 
gate, a part of the Palace is seen, half-obscured 
by heavy foliage. The sides of the stage repre- 
sent old houses; down-stage on either side are old 
wails, covered with creeping vines and flowers. 
Down-stage to the right in OrGon’s house, style of 
Louis XV, in red-brick; it has a balcony extend- 
ing from the French-windows on the second 
story. Just above this house the garden wall is 
seen. Down-stage to the left is a marble bench, 
part of which is broken. The sky begins to 
brighten, the roofs of the houses are touched 
with the reflection of the rising sun. 


LEANDRE appears at the back, dances about the 
stage, then stops in front of Orcon’s house, looks 
up at it longingly, then comes down-stage and 
declaims :) 


LEANDRE. Cupid, thou it is who hast wakened 
me at this hour when Aurora tinges with pink the 
gates of the East. (Turning toward ORGON’s 
house) I salute thee, dear abode of the star before 
which the sun itself seems pale! Dear star of my 
eyes, sweet and charming Colombine!—Happy 
Léandre, handsome Léandre, lucky Léandre!—But 
—marry her? It’s a grave question! And she 
hasn’t a sou! Hm!—Let us awaken her! But 
how? What trick—? Break a window? Sing 
a song? That very obnoxious old gentleman, 
Orgon, might come, and pick a quarrel—the devil! 

5 


6 \. ...\.CHARMING LEANDRE. 


I have it: I'll cry “ Fire!” If he appears, I’ll run 
away, but if she appears, I shall stay—intoxicated 
with happiness! (He goes up-stage and cries 
“Fire”) Fire! Help! Help! You'll burn to 
death! 


(CoLOMBINE appears on the balcony.) 


CoLoMBINE. Good Heavens, what’s all this 
noise? 

LEANDRE. Fire! 

CoLoMBINE. (Catching sight of LEANDRE) It’s 
you, Léandre? Where, if you please, is the fire? 

L&ANDRE. In my heart! In your eyes! It can- 
not be extinguished. 

CoLoMBINE. Flatterer—I do not believe you!— 
And the wedding—when is it to be? 

LEANDRE. (Pretending to be in great despair) 
Your fatal charms! Ah, heart of snow! 

CoLoMBINE. When is the wedding day? 

LEANDRE. (Aside) She insists!—(To CoLom- 
BINE) Thou charming daughter of the Heavens, 
may it be soon! My intentions are no less pure 
than the ethereal blue! 

CoLOMBINE. Then let us get married. 

LEANDRE. (Standing on the bench in order to 
speak more easily) My dear Colombine, the Fates 
unite to pester people who are married. We have 
both seen married folk come to fell disaster. Think 
well ! 

CoLoMBINE. I care not a whit for the Fates— 
nor for this nonsense you are talking. No marriage 
—no love! 

LEANDRE. (Coming down from the bench) 
Cruel—let me at least make love to you! 

CoLoMBINE. I can’t trust you! 

LéaNDRE. (Drawing his sword) My despair 
will drive me to—I’m going 

CotomBINE. Ask my father’s permission. I like 
to be clear in matters of this sort. 





CHARMING LEANDRE. 7 


LEANDRE. He will refuse! 

CoLoMBINE. Then I wash my hands of every- 
thing. Tell him one of those pretty stories you tell 
me— Aurevoir. (She retires, closing the window 
after her. LEANDRE stands for a moment, plunged 
in uncertainty, then he comes down-stage ) 

LEANDRE. Ah? Well, what if I did marry her, 
after all? It is indeed serious. I never thought I 
should go to Cythera’s Isle accompanied by two 
- witnesses and a notary!—And yet, Colombine is 
careful, a good housekeeper, clever—I never knew 
anyone so industrious. When I look at her as a 
lover, all’s well, but as a husband—hm? Here 
comes her good father! 


(OrGon comes forth from his house, talking to 
himself, and not seeing LEANDRE.) 


Orcon. These confounded clothes! Every 
motion I make, I burst something—bah! Holes 
big enough to put one’s fist through! Now, how 
can I manage to replace the material, without pay- 
ing for it myself? Some friend, some scholar—? 
(Catching sight of LEANDRE) Ah, Léandre! I'll 
pretend not to notice him—he gets on my nerves! 

LEANDRE. Salutations, Seigneur Orgon! 

Orcon. (Pretending not to recognize him) 1 
have no small change—and I never give to the 
poor. 

LEANDRE. Are you making fun of me? 

OrGON. (As before) Never. I never give—on 
week-days or holidays. | 

LEANDRE. (Jnsisting) Seigneur Orgon, pray 
don’t be so obstinate. I have come here 

Orcon. Nonsense. 

LEANDRE. To say good morning to you. 

Orcon. Rubbish. 

LEANDRE. Only a word—— 

Orcon. I have nothing to say to you. 








8 CHARMING LEANDRE. 


LEANDRE. I must 
Orcon. No! 
LEANDRE. I should have liked—— 

Orcon. Hush! 

LEANDRE. But let me tell you who I am! I am 
Léandre! 

Orcon. (Now pretending to recognize him— 
good-naturedly) Ah, so it’s you, Léandre? My 
dear Léandre! I must confess, I took you at first 
for some beggar. 

LEANDRE. Only too happy! 

Orcon. What do you want? 

LEANDRE. (Aside) I must be pleasant! 
(Aloud) You look particularly well this morn- 
ing ! 

Orcon. I look like a man who wants to take a 
little walk before his own door-step. And you too 
look remarkably well. Thank you. Good day. 

LEANDRE. (Catching hold of his arm) I love 
a rare and exquisite creature: it brightens the whole 
earth 

Orcon. (Trying to get away) Yes? And what | 
can I do? 

L&ANDRE. Her forehead is like the pearls of the 
sea, her hair is seraphs’ gold; not the pearls of 
paradise can compare with her teeth, the Red Sea 
is nothing compared with her lips! 

Orcon. Then take her to the jeweler’s, my dear 
fellow. If that is true, he will give you a tremen- 
dous price. 

LEANDRE. The woman I adore, the woman I— 
let us be frank—You have a daughter? 

Orcon. No. I never had one. 

L&ANDRE. Ah, yes you have! 

Orcon. No. 

LEANDRE. Yes. 

Orcon. No. Now, I must be going! 

LEANDRE. Please don’t! 

Orcon. I must. 








CHARMING LEANDRE. 9 


' LEANDRE. You have Colombine. 

Orcon. Ah, Colombine! The angel—although 
she does worry and bother me at times. In this old 
quarter of the city she keeps house for me: cooks to 
perfection and mends my clothes. The darling— 
with her bright eyes, her flowing tresses, I—I 
declare that she is not for you. I refuse you. And 
now, run off! 

LEANDRE. (Kneeling) My dear Orgon, see: I 
am kneeling! 

Orcon. Stop it! Now be off! 

LEANDRE. Heart of stone, thrice-barbarous 
father, what have you against me? 

Orcon. You are something of a philanderer. 

LEANDRE. Pure affectation on my part! 

Orcon. You will be hanged some day. 

LEANDRE. I? By the feet, or the neck? 

Orcon. Your escapades are well known. 

LEANDRE. Seigneur, grant me, I beg you, the 
object of my affections! She will reform me! 

Orcon. She is not for you! 

LEANDRE. (Drawing Mis sword—tragically) 
Thou formidable blade, weapon of my ancestors, 
bathed in the blood of thousands, protector of in- 
nocence, terror of craven hearts, fly quick to the 
bosom of thy master. Lay the blame for this dark 
act at Orgon’s door. Or if, Oh loyal friend, thou 
shrinkest from the deed, let me fly for my pistols! 

Orcon. But—Colombine—? 

LEANDRE. That charm for my eyes, that star 
which holds my heart in subjugation, that adorable 
tyrant to whom I say: Command, I obey !— 

Orcon. Do you know what dowry I am giving 
her? 

LEANDRE. No. 

Orcon. Do you prefer lands or cash? 

LEANDRE. Either one will content me. 

Orcon. Cash is, I think better. 


fe) CHARMING LEANDRE. 


LEANDRE. But of course, land does not vary as 
a cash income is likely to do. | 

Orcon. Now let me tell you: I intend to marry 
Colombine off without a dowry.—Save your sword 
and spare your tears for other amours. 

LEANDRE. (Aside) The devil! (Aloud) I 
adore her so, I care for nothing but her lovely self! 

Orcon. Good. 

LEANDRE. With her, I could not hope to achieve 
a greater happiness on earth. 

Orcon. You have money perhaps? 

LEANDRE. None with me. 

Orcon. But—elsewhere? You have? 

LEANDRE. I? I have expectations: certain docu- 
ments in my library lead me to believe that 
hypothetical 

Orcon. Why not speak of it, then? Shake 
hands! (LEANDRE appears very joyful) But 
Colombine is not for you! 

LEANDRE. (Aside) What an obstinate old 
fellow he is! 

OrGon. Now let us talk reasqgn: do you imagine | 
that I have gone to all the trouble and expense of 
bringing up this girl, and am now willing to allow 
her to be taken from me without receiving a single 
sou of what I have paid out? 

-L&EaANpDRE. A good father 

Orcon. I understand; a good father thinks him- 
self sufficiently rewarded by the love of his children. 
I don’t begrudge what I have given her, my dear 
Léandre, but I do intend that my son-in-law shall 
bring some money into the family. 

LEANDRE. And how much? 

Orcon. I know you are an indigent young 
scamp, that your allowance is miserable; and I am 
willing to make a special offer: one hundred crowns. 
(Aside) He can never scrape together so much! 

LEANDRE. (Jn consternation) A _ hundred 








CHARMING LEANDRE. ‘I 


crowns! I should have to hold up the Auxerre 
coach! 

Orcon. Now, let us make an end to this. Here 
is my last word: a hundred crowns, or no marriage! 

LEANDRE. A hundred crowns! 

Orcon. A hundred crowns. (ORGON turns to 
go, but returns) 7 | 

LEANDRE. Alas, fatal day! Where can I find 
such wealth? He might just as well have asked 
for a million. What can I do? 

Orcon. (Who has come to LEANDRE) Well, 
have you weighed well the offer? 

LEANDRE. (Hesitating) Seigneur 

Orcon. Only a hundred crowns.—A hundred 
crowns.—A hundred crowns. 

LEANDRE. (Resolutely) You will have them in 
no time. 

Orcon. Until we meet again! (Aside) A good 
piece of business, this! (He goes into his house) 

LEANDRE. Under what celestial dome, in what 
hemisphere, can I unearth this heap of sun-bright 
crowns? What dark cave holds such a treasure ?— 
My family? Hah! My friends? As well knock 
on a drum, or seek for flowers on a house-top! 
Friends are like an umbrella, one never has one 
when he needs it! But Colombine? I might ask 
her? I never hesitated before, and why should I 
now? I must show her that I am not ungrateful! 





(COLOMBINE Gomes gaily in.) 


COLOMBINE. How are you, my knight? 

LEANDRE. (Aside) Here is my _ money! 
(LEANDRE sits down on the bench and buries his 
face in his hands. He appears to be in dire despair) 

CoLoMBINE. (Wishing to show her dress to 
LEANDRE) Do you think I look nice? (LEANDRE 
does not move) You might at least smile at me! 
Truly, I was only joking this morning, when I was 


12 CHARMING LEANDRE. 


so rude to you. Come, make love to me. Do you 
still love your little Colombine? | 

L&anpre. (Tragically) Oh, cruel Destiny! 

CoLoMBINE. Are you still thinking of this morn- 
ing? I tell you, it was only in fun. 

LEANDRE. Oh, what a misfortune! Terrible! 

CoLomBINE. What is the matter? Have you 
seen my father? 

Léanpre. (Mechanically) Your father? 

CoLoMBINE. Yes—tell me, I am so anxious to 
hear everything! 

Léanpre. Alas, I have matters vastly more 
serious to think of than that! 

CoLoMBINE. Why do you wring your hands? 

LEANDRE. (With an air of profound melancholy) 
The wise man was right who said that life here 
below was one long martyrdom, and that an abyss 
was hidden in each of its thorny paths. (Cryimg 
out) A frightful abyss! 

CoLoMBINE. Heavens, this is terrible! What is 
the trouble? 

L&anpre. (With a long face) I have a 
brother 

CoLoMBINE. [I didn’t know that. 

LE&ANDRE. With lovely golden hair. I loved 
him so—— 

CoLoMBINE. Is he dead? 

LEANDRE. (Quietly) No. (Jn exaltation) Oh, 
dread misfortune! We were as fingers to the 
hand 

CoLoMBINE. Heavens, tell me! 

L&ANDRE. What can I do, but throw myself into 
some deep pit? : 
CoLOMBINE. But tell me 

LEANDRE. I cannot. 

CoLOMBINE. Come now. This brother 

Léanpre. A good friend has written me this 
letter—(He pretends to look for a letter) which is 
drenched in my tears! 














CHARMING LEANDRE. 13 


CoLoMBINE. Well? 

LEANDRE. The poor boy lived in Messina. He 
was in love. One day, when he was far from his 
friends, and with the object of his affections, he 
went out in a boat. Far from shore, they were 
met by barbarian pirates 

CoLtomeine. And taken prisoners? 

LEANDRE. Exactly—My poor nephew! 

CoLomBINE. What nephew? I thought you said 
your brother? 

LEANDRE. No, it was my nephew. 

CoLoMBINE. Ah! 

Léanpre. And the worst of it is, they took 
them to Tunis, I think, or one of the neighboring 
ports. My poor cousin, he lost an eye in the 
fray: 

CoLOMBINE. You said it was your nephew? 

Leanpre. Did I? My grief makes me forget 
the details. When I am talking about Octave, I 
cannot be held responsible for such things. 

CoLOMBINE. I can well imagine! 

LEANDRE. And the way they treated him— 
(Again looking for the letter) 1 have the letter— 
where ?—Well, they set him to work sawing wood 
on a barren rock 

CoLoMBINE. How barbarous! 

LEANDRE. And no one would ransom him. 
Now, if I fail to get a hundred crowns in an hour’s 
time, he will perish at the hands of the Turks——- 

CoLoMBINE. He shall mot perish! You may 
count on one true friend in your hour of need. 
When do you say you must have the money? 

LEANDRE. Immediately. 

CoLoMBINE. You shall have it, never fear. 

LEANDRE. (Pretending not to have heard) If 
necessary, I shall go myself to the coasts of Tunis. 
If I find the unfortunate couple lost 

CoLoMBINE. No, no: saved!—Come back in an 
instant ! 














14 _ CHARMING LEANDRE. 


LEANDRE. You insist, then? 

CoLoMBINE. (Extending her hand to him) 
Live! | 

LEANDRE. (Taking her hand and kissing it) For 
your sake! (He goes out) 

CoLOMBINE. My father calls me good-for-noth- 
ing when I accept presents from lovers. Now at 
least he can’t reproach me, for I’m going to give to 
this lover. Here comes my father! (ORGON comes 
in and goes toward COLOMBINE) How well you 
are looking to-day, Father! 

Orcon. Yes. 

CoLOMBINE. You'll live at least two hundred 
years! 

Orcon. I hope so. 

CoLoMBINE. What, now, would you say, if I— 
you are so obliging !—were to ask you to loan some 
money ? 

Orcon. Hm! Loan you money? 

CoLoMBINE. (Smoothing Orcon’s hair) Your 
hair is so untidy! 

Orcon. I’m not going to a ball. I think I look 
quite respectable. No, I’ll never loan you money. 

CoLomBINE. A hundred crowns? 

Orcon. Ha! To enrich some good-for-nothing ? 
Put it out of your mind this instant. I wouldn't 
give you a half-crown! : 

CoLoMBINE. (Gaily) Oh, yes, you would! 

Orcon. Nor five sous. Remember that. 

CoLoMBINE. I know where you have buried 
your treasure—in the garden—lI’ll go and unearth 
it. 3 
Orcon. Spare yourself that trouble; it’s under 
lock and key! 

CoLoMBINE. I understand your feelings, but let 
me tell you that this is a question of honor. If 1 
told you it was a question of your own daughter's 
honor—a hundred crowns? | 

Orcon. I ama good father, and your honor is 


CHARMING LEANDRE. 15 


dear to me above all else. Still, I shall keep my 
hundred crowns. 

CoLoMBINE. You could easily get them! 

Orcon. Of course—to put them to better use. 
I can find them,—but I can keep them, too. 

CoLoMBINE. Listen to me: I always try to talk 
pleasantly and quietly with you, but you invariably 
interrupt me and make absurd excuses. (She cries) 
Then, I must throw myself into the Seine! I will, 
I will! 

Orcon. You will be fished out. 

CoLoMBINE. Your white hairs will be ashamed 
of what I’ll do. 

Orcon. My white hairs have never blushed yet! 

CotomBine. And I 

Orcon. Shh! I hear footsteps! 

CoLoMBINE. I won't hush! Tell me, who mends 
your clothes? Who tends the kitchen—? 

Orcon. You, my dearest. 

CotomsBiIne. Ah! 

Orcon. I realize how much I owe you, but 

CoLoMBINE. I furnish a table for you like an 
ambassador’s—and you give me next to nothing for 
doing all this! I beg and implore you, but you don’t 
even pay for the dresses I wear! 

OrGon. (An-ziously) Colombine, my dearest! 

CoLoMBINE. You never realized what I was 
worth! 

Orcon. Oh, yes! 

COLOMBINE. From now on I shall leave you to 
your valets! 

Orcon. Pity me, my dear child! 

CoLoMBINE. They'll rob you, give you under- 
cooked meats, bad wine 

Orcon. Oh, Colombine—my treasure, listen to 
me: you—you have persuaded me. I shall get you 
the money. (COLOMBINE starts to speak, but 
OrGON interrupts her) No! I don’t want to know 
what you are going to do with it! 











16 CHARMING LEANDRE. 


COLOMBINE. That would be wisest! 

Orcon. (Aside) The audacity! 

COLOMBINE. (Aside) Especially as I should 
never have thought of telling him! 

Orcon. (Aside) Well, I'll give her the hundred 
crowns Léandre is to bring me! 

CoLOMBINE. (Aside) Thanks be to Cupid! 
Léandre is saved! (Enter L&ANDRE at the back) 
Here he is! Ah! 

Orcon. (Aside, as he catches sight of LEANDRE) 
Good! 

CoLoMBINE. (To Orcon, as she offers her hand ) 
Father, give me the hundred crowns. 

ORGON. (To CoLoMBINE) At once! (He 
motions to LEANDRE, who comes close to him, and 
says, as he stretches forth his hand: ) My hundred 
crowns? 

LEANDRE. Of course—immediately. 

CoLOMBINE. (Zo OrGoN) Then give them to 
me! 

OrGoN. (To COLOMBINE) Yes_A(Te L&ANpRE) 
Pray don’t run away, I want my hundred crowns! 

LEANDRE. (To Orcon) Of course! I have 
them ! 

Orcon. (To LEANDRE) Come, then! 
_L&ANDRE. (To OrGoN) Never fear! (He 
crosses over and stands by CoLoMBINE, with out- 
stretched hand) The money? 

COLOMBINE. (To ORGON) Give it to me. 

Orcon. (Who thinks L&ANDRE is still at his 
side) Give it to me. 

LEANDRE. (To COLOMBINE) Well? 

Orcon. (As before) Well? 

LEANDRE. (As before) Well? 

CoLoMBINE. (As before) Well? 

Orcon. (Bursting forth angrily) God save 
ime, where are my hundred crowns? 

- LEaNDRE. (To CoLoMBINE, aloud) Where are 
yours? | 


CHARMING LEANDRE. ay 


-CoLoMBINE. (To Orcon) And where are 
yours? 

Orcon. What is the matter with them? (Aloud 
to LEANDRE) Did you not promise to bring me 
the money at once? 

LEANDRE. (Aloud to OrcoNn) The money I 
promised you——- 

CoLoMBINE. (Seeing how matters stand—-to 
Orcon) Is the money that you promised to give 
me. 

Orcon. And I counted on him! 

CoLoMBINE. (7o LEANDRE) Then Messina—- 
your brother Octave—the corsairs—? 

LEANDRE. Fairy-tales to win you! 

Orcon. You are a pair of rascally swindlers! 
You both deserve my malediction. 

CoLoMBINE. Father—! 

Orcon. (Aside) It’s high time, though, my 
daughter was married. She’ll wriggle from between 
my fingers like an eel, sooner or later. (Aloud) 
Marry then—money is not necessary for happiness. 

LEANDRE. (Aside) Then this marriage will be 
an affair of honor! (Aloud to Orcon) Monsieur 
Orgon, I know what it must cost you to be separated 
from so charming a daughter. You dislike, too, my 
easy manners and my shiftless mode of living. 
You have no good opinion of me. (He pushes 
CoLOMBINE into OrGoNn’s arms) I give her back to 
you! 
Orcon. (To LEANDRE) Generous lover, she 
will be yours. (He throws her into LEANDRE’S 
arms ) 

L&ANDRE. Keep her, I beg you, I have deter- 
mined not to take her from you. I could not do 
it! (He in turn sends CoLOMBINE back to her 
father) 

Orcon. (Returning her) Nor I! 

CoLoMBINE. (Disengaging herself) If you 
please! You'll surely hurt yourselves. Really, your 


“38 «CHARMING LEANDRE. 


fine sentiments are going a little too far! (Aside to 
LEANDRE) Marry me, Léandre, and have done 
with all this. I know where my father’s treasure 
is hidden. I'll tell you all about it. 

LEANDRE. I too know about it. My dear love! 

CoLoMBINE. (To Orcon) He accepts. 

Orcon. Good; now I am satisfied. There is 
nothing so good and respectable as marriage. 

CoLoMBINE. Every one at last is 

LEANDRE. Happy! 

Orcon. (To LEANDRE, prophetically) You will 
be! (Pointing to his house) Come, let us celebrate 
the event. 

CoLoMBINE. (To the audience) Mesdames and 
Messieurs, the play is over. If our poet has in- 
dulged in a trifle too boisterous gaiety, please re- 
member that laughter is the true sign of our French 
commonsense! 





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while countless imitators have endeavored to reproduce its fresh- 
ness andcharm. PRICE 25 CENTS. 


A MARRIAGE PROPOSAL, by ANTON TCHEKHOFF, a2 comedy 
in one act, by one of the greatest of modern Russian writers. This 
little farce is very popular in Russia, and satirizes the peasants of 
that country in an amusing manner. PRICE 25 CENTS. 


THE GREEN COAT, by ALFRED DE Musset and EMILE AUGIER 
A slight and comic character sketch of the life of Bohemian artists 
in Paris, written by one of France’s greatest poets and one of her 
best-known dramatists. PRICE 25 CENTS. 


THE WAGER, by GIUSEPPE GIACOSA. This one act poetic 
comedy, written by the most celebrated dramatist of modern Italy, 
was the author’s first work. It treats of a wager made by a proud 
young page, who risks his life on the outcome of a game of chess. 
PRICE 25 CENTS. 














THE LITTLE SHEPHERDESS, a poetic comedy in one act, 
by ANDRE Rivorre. A charming pastoral sketch by a well-known 
French poet and dramatist. Played with success at the Comédie 
Francaise. PRICE 25 CENTS. 


PHORMIO, a Latin comedy by TERENCE. An up-to-date version 
of the famous comedy. One of the masterpieces of Latin drama; 
the story of a father who returns to find that his son has married 
aslave girl. Phormio, the parasite-villain who causes the numerous 
comic complications, succeeds in unraveling the difficulties, and 
all ends happily. PRIcE 25 CEnts. 


THE TWINS, a Latin farce by PuAuTus, upon which Shake- 
speare founded his Comedy of Errors. PRICE 25 CENTS. 


THE BOOR, by Anton ToHexkorr. A well-known farce by the 
celebrated Russian master; it is concerned with Russian peasants, 
and portrays with masterly skill the comic side of country life. 
PRICE 25 CENTs. 


THE BLACK PEARL, by VICTORIEN SARDOU. One of Sardou’s 
most famous comedies of intrigue. A house has, it is thought, 
been robbed. But through skilful investigation it is found that the 
havoc wrought has been done by lightning. PRICE 25 CENTS. 


CHARMING LEANDRE, by THEODORE DE BANVILLE. The 
author of “ Gringoire” is here seen in a poetic vein, yet the French- 
man’s innate sense of humor recalls, in this satirical little play, the 
genius of Moliere. PRicE 25 CENTS. 


THE POST-SCRIPTUM, by Emitn Avaier. Of this one-act 
comedy Professor Brander Matthews writes: 3 ; » one 
of the brightest and most brilliant little one-act suiadies in any 
language, and to be warmly recommended to American readers.”’ 
PRICE 25 CENTS. 


THE HOUSE OF FOURCHAMBAULT, by EmMiILy AUGIER 
One of the greatest of recent French family dramas. Although the 
play is serious in tone, it contains touches which entitle it to a 
position among the best comedies of manners of the times. PRICE 
25 CENTS. ; 








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THE DOCTOR IN SPITE OF HIMSELF, by MOLIERE. A 
famous farce by the greatest of French dramatists. Sganarelle has 
to be beaten before he will acknowledge that he is a doctor, which 
he is not. He then works apparently miraculous cures. The play 
is a sharp satire on the medical profession in the 17th Century 
PRIRE 25 CENTS. 


BRIGNOL AND HIS DAUGHTER, by Capus. The first 
comedy in English of the most sprightly and satirical of present- 
day French dramatists. Price 25 CEenTs. 


CHOOSING A CAREER, by G. A. DE CAILLAVET. Written by 
one of the authors of “ Love Watches.” A farce of mistaken 
identity, full of humorous situations and bright lines. Priokz 26 
CENTS. 


FRENCH WITHOUT A MASTER, by TRISTAN BERNARD. A 
clever farce by one of the most successful of French dramatists, 
It is concerned with the difficulties of a bogus-interpreter who 
does not know a wordof French. Prick 25 CEnts. 


PATER NOSTER, a poetic play in one act, by FRANCOIe 
CopPEE. A pathetic incident of the time of the Paris Commune: 
in 1871. Price 25 Cents. 




















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